NOC 54100: Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
What program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness do
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. Fitness appraisers conduct fitness tests and assessments and design, develop and deliver fitness programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes, correctional institutions, government departments, private businesses, tourism associations and similar establishments.
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport
- Plan and carry out recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
- Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
- Demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques
- Instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities and lead groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs
- Attend to clients with special needs
- Provide lifestyle awareness information
- Conduct therapeutic recreational or athletic activities
- Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to ensure safety and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
- Enforce safety rules and regulations
- Assist with coordination of special events
- Schedule activities, keep logs, maintain records and prepare reports
- May train and supervise staff
- May maintain and repair sports equipment.
- Fitness appraisers
- Assess individual's physical fitness through fitness tests and assessments and design fitness programs based on results
- Provide information to the public and individuals on lifestyle and methods to improve and maintain physical fitness and weight
- Measure and record individuals' bodily proportions, weight and body mass index
- Handle equipment to conduct fitness tests and assessments and deliver exercise programs.
Job titles under NOC 54100
87 job titles are classified here, including aerobics instructor, camp counsellor, certified personal trainer.
- activities leader - seniors
- aerobics instructor
- arts and crafts instructor
- arts and crafts leader
- arts and crafts leader - sports and recreation
- arts and leisure leader
- arts and recreation leader
- athletics instructor
- beach lifeguard
- bowling instructor
- bridge instructor
- bridge teacher
- callisthenics instructor
- camp coordinator
- camp counsellor
- camp leader
- certified fitness appraiser
- certified personal trainer
- chess instructor
- cultural activities leader
- day camp counsellor - recreation
- day camp leader
- dressage instructor
- fencing instructor
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education or extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is usually required.
- Certification is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as ski instructor or personal trainer, or in first aid or emergency care.
- Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
- Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness wages in Canada
Low, median and high hourly wages from Job Bank’s 2025 wage data. Annual figures assume full-time work (1,950 hours a year).
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Canada | $15.44/hr | $19.00/hr | $31.00/hr |
Toronto ON | $17.60/hr | $19.00/hr | $35.27/hr |
Montréal QC | $16.10/hr | $19.00/hr | $27.00/hr |
Vancouver Lower Mainland region, BC | $17.85/hr | $24.50/hr | $35.00/hr |
Calgary AB | $16.00/hr | $20.00/hr | $46.00/hr |
Edmonton AB | $15.25/hr | $20.50/hr | $26.37/hr |
Ottawa ON | $17.60/hr | $18.00/hr | $25.64/hr |
Winnipeg MB | $16.00/hr | $17.25/hr | $24.04/hr |
Québec City Quebec region, QC | $16.10/hr | $18.75/hr | $29.00/hr |
Hamilton Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula region, ON | $17.60/hr | $18.00/hr | $29.00/hr |
Kitchener-Waterloo Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie region, ON | $17.60/hr | $18.50/hr | $29.00/hr |
London ON | $17.60/hr | $17.60/hr | $24.00/hr |
Halifax NS | $16.50/hr | $16.50/hr | $23.00/hr |
Victoria Vancouver Island and Coast region, BC | $17.85/hr | $23.74/hr | $35.00/hr |
Saskatoon Saskatoon–Biggar region, SK | $15.35/hr | $18.00/hr | $29.67/hr |
Regina Regina–Moose Mountain region, SK | $15.35/hr | $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr |
| Where | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00/hr | $16.00/hr | $24.00/hr |
Nova Scotia | $16.50/hr | $17.00/hr | $24.34/hr |
New Brunswick | $15.65/hr | $16.80/hr | $25.00/hr |
Quebec | $16.10/hr | $18.75/hr | $29.00/hr |
Ontario | $17.60/hr | $18.50/hr | $31.00/hr |
Manitoba | $16.00/hr | $17.50/hr | $24.04/hr |
Saskatchewan | $15.35/hr | $18.86/hr | $28.99/hr |
Alberta | $15.50/hr | $20.00/hr | $35.00/hr |
British Columbia | $17.85/hr | $23.74/hr | $35.00/hr |
Using NOC 54100 for your resume or Express Entry profile
- IRCC asks you to make sure the main duties listed for your NOC match what you actually did at your job. If they don’t, look for another unit group whose duties do.
- Describe your own work in your own words. Recruiters and ATS software look for concrete tools, results and scope, not text copied from the NOC.
- Applying from outside Canada? Run your resume through the Canadian resume format checker to catch things Canadian employers don’t expect, like a photo or date of birth.
- Use the job title the employer’s posting uses. The 87 titles above are how the same work is named across employers.
Not in this group
Similar jobs classified under a different NOC code:
- Other instructors (NOC 43109)
- Recreation supervisor (NOC 41406)
- Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (NOC 50012)
- Sports supervisor (NOC 41406)
Frequently asked questions
What is the NOC code for program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness?
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness are NOC 2021 unit group 54100. Example job titles in this group include aerobics instructor, camp counsellor, certified personal trainer, day camp leader.
What TEER is NOC 54100?
NOC 54100 is TEER 4 (High school and on-the-job training). Usually requires completion of secondary school, or several weeks of on-the-job training. TEER 4 and 5 work does not count as skilled work experience for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class programs.
How much do program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness earn in Canada?
Job Bank's 2025 wage data puts the median at $19.00/hr, about $37,000 a year full-time, with a range of $15.44/hr to $31.00/hr.
Sources: Statistics Canada, National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0; Employment and Social Development Canada, Job Bank wages (2025). Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. OfferJetAI is not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Check IRCC’s NOC guidance before you apply.